Rotor brake



June 13, 1944. c. E. TACK 2,351,575

ROTOR BRAKE Filed Feb. 12, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY M June 13, 1944. Q TACK 2,351,575

ROTOR BRAKE Filed Feb. 12, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 M WI:

AL -.2- WWIIHHIII" [11/11/1/1/ INVENTOR. 622715 Tacit MOE/WY:

arrangement such as Patented June 13, 1944 ROTOR BRAKE Carl E. Tack, Chicago, 11].,

Steel Foundries, Chicago,

New Jersey assignor to American 111., a corporation of Application February 12, 1942, Serial No. 420,529 22 Claims- (01. 188-153) My invention relates to braking means for a railway car truck and more particularly to a form of such a brake commonly designated a rotor brake, wherein braking means are associated with each wheel and axle assembly in such a manner as to secure braking in areas other than the tread surfaces of the wheels.

An object of my invention is to devise such a brake arrangement for a railway car truck which will be particularly suitable for application to trucks commonly used on high speed subway cars where frequent stops are required and a high rate of deceleration is necessary.

Another object of my invention is to devise such an arrangement as that described wherein a ring-type cylinder may be utilized, said cylinder being positioned around the axle and having formed as a part thereof means for carrying a surface to be braked against an opposing brake surface supported on the associated wheel.

In my novel arrangement a cylinder is slidably supported from a backing plate secured to the inboard edge of the associated journal box, and a piston within said cylinder is operable to move the cylinder in an inboard direction whereby the braking surfaces supported thereon are urged into engagement with the surface supported on the associated wheel.

Still another object of my invention is to devise a braking arrangement such as that above described wherein the cylinder comprises at opposite sides thereof torque transmitting lugs formed and arranged for reception within recesses in the associated backing plate secured to the journal box as above described, said lugs being adapted for engagement with the ends of tension springs, said springs being secured at the opposite ends thereof from adjacent the outboard edge of the journal box and being operable to release the braking surfaces on the cylinder after actuation thereof.

A further object of my invention is to devise an that described wherein braking surfaces are supported from the cylinder for engagement with a rotor supported on the adjacent wheel, said engagement being at diametrically opposed areas on said rotor in order to facilitate cooling thereof.

A further object of my invention is to devise a novel form of rotor wherein an annular member is utilized, said member presenting a friction surface on one side thereof formed and arranged for engagement with associated friction surfaces supported from a cylinder as above described, and said member comprising on the opposite side thereof a plurality of spaced jaws formed and arranged for the reception of bolt and nut assemblies securing said member to the associated wheel.

My novel rotor comprises a plurality of spaced radially arranged fins on the inboard side thereof, certain of said fins being positioned within the associated jaws and being of restricted width so as'to afiord clearance for the heads of the associated securing bolts.

In the drawings Figure l is a fragmentary side elevation of a railway car truck embodying my novel braking arrangement, only one end thereof being shown inasmuch as the truck is similar at opposite ends thereof, the right half of Figure 1 being a sectional view in the vertical plane indicated by theline l-i of Figure 2 with the truck parts shown in elevation for clarification.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 1, the section bein taken in the transverse horizontal plane bisecting the wheel and axle assembly shown in Figure 1, substantially as indicated by the line 2-4 of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a further sectional view in the transverse vertical plane bisecting the wheel and axle assembly shown in Figure 1, substantially as indicated bythe line 3-3 thereof with the release springs shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary edge elevation of the rotor shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, said view being taken from the position indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

In each of said figures certain details may be omitted for purposes of clarification where they are more clearly seen in other views.

Describing the structure in detail, my novel arrangement comprises a built up truck frame comprising a side rail 2 with a. pedestal casting 4 secured at each end thereof, said casting comprising the spaced legs 6, 6 defining therebetween a pedestal opening 8, each leg 8 being provided with a pad ID for abutment with the wear plate I! secured to the adjacent side of the journal box l4, said journal box being received within the opening 8 between the legs 6, 6 in the usual man- J ner and secured by the tie bar i3 connected between said legs at the bottoms thereof. The truck frame also comprises the reinforcing struts l6 and I8 secured to the pedestal casting in any convenient manner as by welding, and the column guide 20 is secured between the diagonal strut l6 and the side rail 2. Atop each Journal box is positioned a spring group 11 supporting the pedestal casting 4 and the side rail 2 in the usual manner.

Each wheel and axle assembly comprises an axle. I9 press fitted as at 26 within the hub 22 of the wheel 24. The Journal end 26 of the axle I9 as may best be seen in Figures 2 and 3 is received within the opening 28 in the journal box for engagement as at 36 with the bearer 32 and atop said bearer is a journal bearing wedge 34 abutting the block 36 as at 38 and the vertical flange 46 on the bearer 82 as at 42, thus serving to transmit lateral thrusts of the axle I9 to the Journal box I4. Supported on the journal box as at 42 is the spring assembly I! supporting the truck frame as heretofore described. A dust guard 44 is positioned inboard the opening 28 in the journal box and is held in position by a cover plate 46 of annular form and secured as at 48, 48 to the torque and backing plate 56, said plate abutting the inboard edge of the journal box as at 52 and being secured thereto in any convenient manner and serving a purpose hereinafter more fully described.

The novel braking-means associated with each wheel and axle assembly comprises a rotor casting generally designated 84, secured to the wheel 24 by the spaced bolt and nut assemblies 86, 86 by means of the jaws 88, 56 (Figure 4), said Jaws receiving therewithin the heads of respective bolts and being reinforced by the triangular webs 66, 66 at opposite sides thereof. The rotor 64 also comprises the friction surface 8I formed and arranged for engagement with the friction shoes supported on the associated cylinder as hereinafter more fully described, and said rotor also comprises the inboardly directed fins 62, 62, said fins being radially arranged and serving to circulate air, thus cooling the rotor 64 as will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

It maybe noted that adjacent each bolt and nut assembly a fln 68 is formed slightly smaller than the fins 62, 62 in order to afford clearance for the associated bolt, as will be clearly apparent from a consideration of Figures 3 and 4.

The backing and torque plate 86 comprises at each side thereof a recess or jaw 64 with the wear plates 66, 66 secured thereto'as at 66, 68 for slidable engagement as at I6 with the I- shaped lugs 12, I2 formed on the cylinder casting I4 (Figure 2). An opening I6 is provided in each lug 12, said opening being'adapted for reception of a hook I8 formed on the tension spring 86, said spring serving a purpose hereinafter more fully described.

The cylinder casting 14 comprises on the inboard side thereof and opposite each lug I2 the friction shoe 82, said shoe being mounted on a plate 84 recessed as at 66 in the cylinder casting I4 and secured thereto in any convenient manner. The cylinder casting 14 also comprises the cylinder 88, said cylinder being of ring type and receiving therewithin the ring piston 86 (Figure 3). A closure retainer 92 is secured to said piston as at 94, 94 and is adapted for abutment as at 96 with the backing and torque plate 56. A packing ring 98 serves to prevent escape of actuating fluid from the cylinder 68. It will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art that upon actuation of the braking mechanism above described, the piston 96 will react against the backing plate 56, and the cylinder 66 will be moved in an inboard direction so that the friction shoes 82, 82 secured to the cylinder as heretofore described will abut the friction sure face II on the rotor 84, thus decelerating the wheel 44.

At the bottom of the backing and wear plate 86 is formed a jaw I86 (Figure 3), said jaw being adapted for reception of the torque arm I62 pivotally connected within said jaw by the pin I64, said pin being hushed as at I66. It may be noted that the head of the pin I64 is recessed in the backing plate 86 so that said head lies flush with the inboard surface of said plate in order to avoid interference with the closure retainer 82 secured to the piston 96. The torque arm I62 is pivotally connected at its opposite end as at I68 within a Jaw II6 formed on the bracket II2 secured to the strut I8 as by welding at H4, H4 (Figure 1).

Release means for my novel brake mechanism comprises the spaced plates H6, H8 welded as at III to the journal box I4 adjacent the outboard edge thereof. It will be noted that the plate H6 at the inner edge of the box is welded to the inboard edge of the pocket I26 integrally formed on the journal box and adapted for re ception of one end of a beam (not shown) affording securing means for an associated third rail contact shoe as will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art. A loop I 22 is welded as at I24, I24 to each plate H6, H6 and a hook I26 on the outboard end of the tension spring 88 is received within each loop, the opposite end of said spring being engaged with the cylinder casting I4 as heretofore described. It will be recognized that after actuation of the braking mechanism described, the tension springs 66, 86 will be operative to return the cylinder casting I4 to its normal inoperative position against the backing plate 66, thereby withdrawing the friction shoes 82, 82 from engagement with the rotor 64. i

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown which is merely by way of illustration and not. limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

.1. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck, a frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly comprising an axle having a journal end, a wheel on said axle, a journal box associated with said end, and braking means for said wheel comprising a rotor secured thereto, a backing plate secured to the inboard edge of the box, a cylinder slidably supported solely by means of lugs thereon in tongue and groove engagement with said plate, spaced friction shoes on said cylinder adapted for engagement with said rotor, a piston in said cylinder abutting said plate, said cylinder being operable to move said shoes into engagement with said rotor, said lugs constituting torque transmitting means between said plate and said cylinder, and a torque arm pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to said plate and to said frame.

2. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck, a frame member, a supporting wheel and axle assembly comprising a rotating axle with a Journal end, a wheel mounte on said axle, a Journal box associated with said end, and braking means associated with said wheel and comprising a rotor secured thereto, a backing plate secured to the box and comprising a, recess at each side thereof, a cylinder comprising lugs 4 received within respective recesses and aflording a slidable support for said cylinder from said plate, friction means mounted on said cylinder, said cylinder being operable to move said friction means into engagement with said rotor, and release means comprising a tension spring engaged with each lug and supported from adjacent the outboard edge of said box, said lugs being effective to transmit torque between said cylinder and said, plate;

3. In a brake arrangement for a wheel and axle assembly, an axle, a wheel fitted thereon. a journal end on said axle, a journal box associated therewith, and braking means comprising a rotatable element secured to said wheel, a backing plate secured to the inboard edge of said box and comprising recesses therein, a cylinder comprising support lugs slidably received within respective recesses, friction means mounted on said cylinder for engagement with said element, a piston in said cylinder formed and arranged for abutment with said plate, said cylinder being movable in an inboard direction whereby said friction means are urged into engagement with said element, and release means comprising resilient means connected to each lug and to said journal box, said lugs being the sole means affording support for said cylinder from said plate and being the sole means affording transmission of torque therebetween.

4. In a brake arrangement for a wheel and axle assembly, an axle, a wheel fitted thereon, a journal end on said axle, a journal box associated therewith, and braking means comprising a rotatable element secured to said wheel, a backing plate secured to the inboard edge of said box and comprising recesses therein, a cylinder comprising substantially horizontally aligned lugs slidably received within respective recesses, friction means on said cylinder for engagement with said element, and a piston in said cylinder formed and arranged for abutment with said plate, spaced tension springs engaged with said box and respective lugs, said cylinder being adapte to move inboard whereby said friction means is urged into engagement with said element, said lugs being the sole means affording support for said cylinder from said plate and being the sole means affording transmission of torque therebetween.

5. In a brake arrangement, a truck frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly comprising an. axle having a journal end, a wheel fitted on said axis. a journal box associated with said comprising a rotatable member secured to said wheel, a cylinder movably supported from said box, friction means on said cylinder for engagement with said member, a piston in said cylinder, said cylinder being operable to move said friction means into engagement with said member, torque transmitting means on said cylinder and said journal box, and a torque arm associated with said box and connected to said frame, said torque transmitting means being for said cylinder from said box.

6. In a brake arrangement for a wheel and axle assembly, an axle having a journal end, a wheel fitted on said axle, journal means associated with said end, and braking means comprising a rotor secured to said wheel, said rotor friction face on one side thereof and a plurality of radially arranged flns on the opposite side thereof, a cylinder movably supported from said journal means, spaced friction the sole means affording support ing operable to move-said shoes into said engagement.

' '1; In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a

supporting wheel and axle assembly comprising an axle with a wheel thereon, friction means on said wheel, a journal box associated with said assembly, a backing plate on said journal box and comprising a jaw, a torque arm therein, and a .pin pivotally securing said arm within said. jaw and comprising a head recessed in the inboard face of said plate, a piston abutting said face and the head of said pin whereby the latter is maintained in assembled relationship. a connection between said arm and said frame, a cylinder associated with said piston and carrying friction means for engagement with the first-mentioned means, and means for transmitting torque from said cylinder to said plate.

8. In a brake arrangement, a wheel and axle assembly, friction means on said wheel. a journal box associated with said assembly, a supporting member on said journal box compris ng a jaw, a torque member within said jaw and a pin securing said member therewithin, a piston abutting the inboard face of said supportin member and operative to maintain said pin in assembled relationship, means associated with said torque arm to prevent rotation of said journal box, a cylinder associated with said piston and carrying friction means for engagement with the first-mentioned friction means. and means for transmitting torquefrom said cylinder to said supporting member.

9. In a brake arrangement for a wheel and axle assembly, an axle, a wheel fitted thereon. journal means associated with said axle. power means comprising spaced substantially horizontally aligned support means slidably supported from said journal means, friction means mounted on said power means, a, friction surface on said wheel, said power means being operable to urge said friction means into engagement with said surface, and release means comprising spaced tension springs connected to said journal means and engaged with said support means, said support means also constituting torque transmitting means between said power means and said journal means.

10. In a brake arrangement, an axle com sa d axle,

prising a journal end, a wheel fitted on journal means associated with said end, brake shoes supported from said means, each of said shoes comprising a torque transmitting lug, a member supported from said means and comprising means cooperating with said lugs to transmit torque to said journal means, power means associated with said shoes, and release means comprising resilient means connected to said journal means and to said torque transmitting lugs, said lugs constituting the sole means affording support for said shoes from said member.

11. In a brake arrangement for a wheel and axle assembly, an axle comprising a journal end, a wheel fitted on said axle, journal means associated with said end, brake shoes supported from said means and each comprising a lug, a member supported from said means and comprising recesses receiving therewithin respective lugs, power means associated with said shoes, and release means comprising resilient means connected to said journal means and to respective surface, said cylinder belugs, said lugs affording support for said shoes and afiording torque transmitting means between said shoes and said member.

12. In a brake arrangement, a wheel an axle' torque means and a portion of said journal means.

13. In a brake arrangement for a wheel and axle assembly, an axle having a journal end, a wheel iittedon said axle, journal means associated with said end, and braking means comprising a rotor secured to said wheel, a backing plate secured to said means, a cylinder slidably supported by rigid means in tongue and groove engagement with said plate, friction means on said cylinder. for engagement with said rotor, a

' piston in said cylinder abutting said plate, and

resilient release means connected to said rigid means and to said journal means, said cylinder being movable in an inboard direction whereby said friction means is urged into engagement with said rotor, said rigid means constituting torque transmitting means between said cylinder and said plate.

14. In a brake arrangement, a wheel and axle assembly comprising an axle with a wheel thereon, a journal box associated with said axle, a backing plate on said box, a cylinder comprising spaced lugs slidably received within recesses in said plate, said lugs aflording sole support and torque transmitting means for said cylinder, 8, piston in said cylinder abutting said plate, means preventing a torsional movement of said plate, cooperating friction means on said cylinder and said assembly, and resilient release means connected to said lugs and to said journal box.

15. In a brake arrangement, a wheel and axle assembly comprising an axle with a wheel there on, a journal box associated with sai axle, rigid support means on said box, a cylinder comprising spaced rigid means in slidable tongue and groove engagement with the first-mentioned rigid means, said second-mentioned rigid means affording sole support and torque transmitting means for said cylinder with respect to said support means, a piston in said cylinder abutting said support means, means preventing torsional movement of said support means, cooperating friction means carried by said cylinder and said wheel, and spaced tension springs connected to said journal box and respective of said second-mentioned rigid means.

16. In a brake arrangement, a wheel and axle assembly, journal means therefor, backing means on said journal means, a piston in abutment with said backing means, a movable cylinder associated with said piston and carrying friction means for engagement with friction means on said assembly, torque means on said cylinder slidably engaged with said backing means to afford support for said cylinder and to eiIect transmission of torque from said cylinder to said backing means. and a tension spring un der tension between and connected to said torque means and a portion of said journal means.

17. In a brake arrangement, a wheel and axle assembly comprising an axle with a wheel thereon, a Journal boxassociated with said axle, rigid support means on said box, a cylinder comprising spaced rigid means in slidabie tongue and groove engagement with the first-mentioned rigid means, said rigid means aiiording sole support and torque transmitting means for said cylinder with respect to said support means, a piston in said cylinder abutting said plate, means preventing torsional movement of said plate, cooperating friction means carried by said cylinder and said wheel, and resilient release means connected to the rigid means on said cylinder and to said journal box. 7

18. In a brake arrangement for a wheel and axle assembly comprising a wheel and a rotatable brake surface, a nonrotatable backing plate supported from said assembly adjacent said surface, a jaw on said plate, a torque member in said jaw, a pin pivotally securing said member therewithin, said pin comprising a head recessed in said plate, a piston abutting said plate and the head of said pin whereby the latter is maintained in assembled relationship, means associated with said member to prevent rotation of said plate, a cylinder associated with said piston and carrying friction means for engagement with said surface, and means for transmitting torque from said cylinder to said plate.

19. In a rotor, an annular member comprising a friction surface on one side thereof and spaced jaws on the opposite side thereof, spaced fins on said last-mentioned side formed and arranged for circulating air, certain of said fins being positioned within said jaws and being of restricted width to afford clearance for securing means received within said jaws.

20. In a rotor, a member comprising a friction surface on one side thereof and spaced jaws on the oppomte side thereof, space iins on the last-mentioned side formed and arranged for circulating air, certain of said fins being positioned in said jaws and being of restricted width to afford clearance for securing means received within said jaws.

21. In a rotor, a member having a friction surface on one side thereof and spaced jaws on the opposite side thereof, and spaced iins on the last-mentioned side formed and arranged for circulating air, certain of said fins being positioned within said laws.

22. In a rotor, an annular member comprising a friction surface on one side thereof, means on the opposite side of said member afl'ording securement to an associated rotating member, and means on the last-mentioned side for circulating air, certain of said circulating means being positioned within sai securing means.

' CARL E. TACK. 

